Circuit assembly



5. MIITTLER CIRCUIT ASSEMBLY Oct. 6, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 6, 1962 INVENTOR. Swim/v Mm 5? Arron/Er Oct. 6, 1964 s. MITTLER 3,152,288

cmcun ASSEMBLY Filed April 6, 1962 I 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I NVENTOR. JHHDOA/ M074 5/? W MAW ATTORA/f) Oct. 6, 1964 s. MITTLER 3,152,288

CIRCUIT ASSEMBLY Filed April 6, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 III. will]. sum- 44!.

ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,152,288 CIRCUIT ASSEMBLY Sheldon Mittler, 81 St. Marks Ave, Freeport, NY. Filed Apr. 6, 1962, Ser. No. 185,549 12 Claims. (Cl. 317-99) This invention relates to assemblies for mass produced electric circuits and more particularly, to assemblies for circuits wherein a conductive pattern is laid directly upon an insulative support, such as in printed and woven circuits. This invention has particular reference to flexible circuits of the type which may readily be bent, folded and otherwise shaped without impairment or damage thereto.

It is amongst the primary objects of the present invention to provide inexpensive and relatively simple supporting and connecting hardware for mass produced electric circuits which permits of simplifications in assembly "while aifording a high degree of electrical and mechanical efliciency and additionally, durability under conditions of severe stress and extreme heat.

It is another important object of the present invention to provide for neat, efficient and systematic packaging of circuitry of the described class.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide stacked circuitry of the above class wherein electrical variations may readily and very simply be made.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a highly variable matrix arrangement for stacked circuitry of the above class, which is suitable for prototype work amongst other considerations.

A fuller understanding of the invention and the manner in which its objective and advantages may be realized will become apparent from the following detailed description thereof taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a circuit assembly in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the circuit of FIG. 1 showing the arms of the supporting spring mount spread apart for interconnection with cable.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing another assembly in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a portion of the circuit of FIG. 3 with the arms of the supporting spring mount spread apart for interconnection with a section of cable and a circuit scrambler.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a more complex assembly in accordance with the present invention with a portion thereof broken away for clarity.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing details applicable to the assembly of FIG. 5.

Referring now to the drawings, a multilayered assembly in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG. 1 consisting of a plurality of flexible loops or flexible sleeves 10 mounted in vertical alignment on individual layers 12 of adjacent'corrugations of a resilient multilayered corrugated fiat wound extension frame. Sleeves 10 are essentially of insulation having conductors 14 provided thereon.

The multilayered spring type frame is provided with a mounting bracket 16. Additional mounting brackets may be provided therefor. If a mounting bracket is provided at the other end of said frame, a very resilient, shock absorbing mount isobtainable. Such a mount should have great value where the equipment is subject to mechanical stress and strain. 7

The abutting corrugations of the resilient said frame forming compressive clasps may be readily spread apart when it is desired to mount or remove the conductive flexible sleeves. The said sleeves are expanded and main- 3,152,288 Patented Oct. 6, 1964 p CE tained in a taut position by the said individual corrugated layers, and components 18 may occupy the chambers 20 thus formed in the said sleeves.

As stated heretofore, circuitry to be utilized in accordance with the present invention should be flexible so that it can be readily bent, folded or otherwise shaped about its supporting frame. Woven circuitry, as described in the aforenoted copending application, is particularly suitable for this purpose because of its highly porous nature which readily permits the dissipation of heat which would ordinarily be trapped with layers of circuitry and cause damage thereto.

Circuitry in accordance with the present invention may also be formed on paper or readily deformable plastic if suitable porosity can be provided. However, the heat tolerances of such materials do not appear adequate when compared to that of fiber glass which is utilized as the base material in woven circuits.

The conductive flexible sleeves are provided with a series of edge terminals 22 on abutting edges of said corrugations. The terminals are arranged so that they will make contact with the edge terminals of an adjacent sleeve and establish electrical connection between flexible sleeves. Adjacent loops are clasped firmly together between a corrugation adjacent surfaces which serves as a connector as well as a support. The edge terminals 22 of the flexible sleeves may be arranged so that the current may by-pass circuit layers if so desired. Endless variations of the circuitry are hence made possible without the necessity for interchangeable circuit boards and expensive circuit boards and connector racks.

To this end, scrambling devices such as 24, indicated in FIG. 4, may be utilized. innumerable variations in the circuiting may be carried out by such units. By the use of the scrambler, current may be re-routed as it passes from layer to layer, layers may be completely bypassed and electrical connection may be established with the frame.

The scrambler, which is essentially a stiff sheet of insulatiou 26 having conductors 28 and terminals 30 thereon, it merely inserted between circuit layers with certain of its edge terminals contacting certain of the edge terminals 22 of flexible sleeves which it abuts. The manner in which a scrambling device may be inserted between flexible sleeves is indicated in FIG. 4.

As will be realized, the edge terminals of the flexible sleeves also provide innumerable feed-in and feed-out points for the composite assembly and cables such as 31, amongst other elements, may readily be connected to the assembly without the use of external mechanical connector devices merely by spreading the frame apart as indicated in FIGS. 2 and 4.

Circuit patterns on opposite faces of an individual flexible sleeve may be electrically joined by conductors which extend around the edges of the flexible sleeve and/ or by components 18 which'are vertically mounted in the chamber 20 formed by the flexible sleeve. Mounting apertures 32 or other mounting means may be provided for the components. It is to be notedthat the vertical stacking of components permits increased component density.

In FIGS. 3 and 4 another circuit assembly in accordance with the present invention is shown. In this embodiment the circuit is in the form of continuous strips of flexible insulator material 10' rather than in the flexible sleeve form with conductors 14' being formed on said strip which is otherwise essentially of an electrically insulative material.

The conductive strip is uniformly bent and interlaced about the coils of an extension spring type frame, having generally rectangular coils 40. The said frame is resilient having initial tension, its coils may readily be spread to receive and clasp firmly the conductive strip or strips after tension applied to spread said coils has been released. The foregoing is also true for purposes of removing the same. The strip may be provided with a hem 42 at the end thereof so that it may be anchored on frame it). A second flexible conductive strip 1%" may be mounted on frame 40. Strip ltd", however will extend perpendicularly of strip Components 18 may be mounted between conductive layers, as previously described, or may be mounted at the ends of the composite circuit. If the latter is the case, the terminals 43 of components 18' may extend through many layers of circuitry mounting apertures 32 or other means may be provided for the components.

The said flexible conductive strips are provided with edge terminals 22' which are positioned in lie on the sides or edges of the coils of said frame when mounted thereon and provide electrical interconnection between layers as well as feed-in and feed-out points as previously described. Once again, the extension spring type frame serves to firmly clasp the assembly together providing mechanical as well as electrical connection.

In FIG. 5, a panel arrangement is shown which included a plurality of the previously described circuit units, designated by numeral 50 here. Connectors 52 are positioned between the said circuit units with flat multiconductor cable being included in the said assemblage. A coiled harness 55 is employed to support said cable while mounting brackets 57 and 59 are provided to support the connector and multilayered circuit units, respectively.

Connector 52 is essentially a multilayered frame or rack formed by a plurality of arms 56 which are arranged in two parallel comb like rows, the arms forming the teeth of said frame, allowing passage between said arms. The rack is resilient and flexible so that the said arms can be spread slightly for reasons hereinafter appearing. A variety of circuiting, including cable 54 and circuit 66 amongst other elements may extend through the passage.

An interconnecting circuit 62 is provided in said connector 52 for establishing contact between the circuiting heretofore mentioned corrugated spring type frame assembly therein and 50 positioned adjacent to it. The interconnecting circuit is positioned, comprised of said resilient arms adjacent to the inner wall of said connector 52. This circuit, as is indicated in FIG. 6, may be folded between adjacent arms of the connector and is supported in this fashion. The clasped folds, such as 68, extend outwardly of connector 52 and are additionally clasped between adjacent sleeves 10 of unit 59. The interconnecting circuit is provided with regularly occurring series of conductors 64 having terminals 66. Terminals 66 contact the edge terminals of sleeves 10 to establish electrical connection between unit 50 and connector 52.

If it is desired to alter the circuitry, connector 52 need merely be removed from the assembly as a unit.

I claim:

1. A circuit assembly for electrical components comprising an extension spring type frame with initial tension having generally rectangular coils; two continuous strips of flexible insulator material upon which electrical conductors are attached; said spring type frame effecting a clasping action between said coils; said strips being respectively bent and interlaced about the adjacent sides of said coils and maintained in a taut position by same; said clasping action pressing together said strips interlaced about said coils and effecting electrical connections between said conductors attached to said strips; said strips and said spring forming a cooperative network which acts as a unitary circuit when adjacent coils of said spring frame are together; said electrical components for said assembly being positioned on said strips.

2. A circuit assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein electrical edge terminals are positioned between said coils so that abutting edges form electrical interconneci tions for feed-in and feed-out points; and held by said clasping action of said coils.

3. A circuit assembly in accordance with claim 2 wherein said strips consist of fabric; said fabric being formed of interwoven conductive and insulative threads.

4. A circuit assembly for electrical components comprising an extension spring type frame With initial tension having generally rectangular coils; two continuous strips consisting of fabric; said fabric being formed of interwoven conductive and insulative threads; said spring type frame effecting a clasping action between said coils; said strips being respectively bent and interlaced about the adjacent sides of said coils and maintained in a taut position by same; said clasping action pressing together said strips interlaced about said coils and effecting electrical connections between said conductors interwoven with "said sleeves; said strips and said spring forming a cooperative network which acts as a unitary circuit when adjacent coils of said spring are together; said electrical components for said assembly being positioned on said strips.

5. A circuit assembly for electrical components comprising a pair of parallel spaced resilient multilayered corrugated flat extension spring type frames having individual layers with adjacent corrugations forming compressive clasps; a plurality of flexible sleeves of an electrically insulative material; electrical conductors being attached to the outer surfaces of said sleeves; said sleeves being mounted on each corresponding pair of said corrugations and maintained in a taut position by same; said corrugations clasping the adjacent surfaces of said sleeves positipned within said frames effecting electrical connections between said conductors attached to said outer surfaces of said sleeves; components for said assembly being positioned within said sleeves and electrically connected to said conductors; said frames and said sleeves forming an integrated stressed assembly which maintains said sleeves and components as a unitary circuit.

6. A circuit assembly in accordance with claim 5 wherein said sleeves are provided with edge terminals; said sleeves are positioned on said frame so that said edge terminals lie on abutting edges of said corrugations and form interconnections for feed-in and feedout points.

7. A circuit assembly in accordance with claim 6 wherein said sleeves consist of fabric formed of interwoven conductive and insulative threads.

8. A circuit assembly for electrical components comprising a pair of parallel spaced resilient multilayered corrugated fiat extension spring type frames having individual layers with adjacent corrugations forming compressive clasps; a plurality of flexible fabric sleeves consisting of interwoven conductive and insulative threads; said sleeves being mounted on each corresponding pair of said corrugations and maintained in a taut position by same; said corrugations clasping the adjacent surfaces of said sleeves positioned within said frames effecting electrical connections between said conductors interwoven with said sleeves; components for said assembly being positioned within said sleeves and electrically connected to said conductors; said frame and said sleeves forming an integrated stressed assembly which maintains said sleeves and components as a unitary circuit.

9. A connector circuit assembly formed of interconnecting circuits on a flexible insulative base being provided with a series of regularly occurring conductors; said conductors being formed on said insulative base, a connector frame formed by a plurality of spring arms being arranged in two parallel rows; said circuits being bent and shaped to conform to said frame, at least a portion of said circuits folded and extended between adjacent arms of said frame; the folds of said circuits being clasped securely in place by abutting edges of said arms; said clasping arms being flexible for releasing and reclasping said circuits as desired; a portion of conductive pattern on said extended folds being provided with edge terminals for feed-in and feedout connections.

10. A circuit assembly in accordance With claim 9 wherein said extended circuit folds being Withdrawable from said connector frame and reformable at another layer thereof.

11. A circuit assembly in accordance with claim 9 wherein the circuits are formed in conductive patterns; said pattern circuits being positioned in the passage between said parallel connector arm rows; said pattern circuits being positioned against adjacent connecting circuits; said pattern circuits and said connecting circuits being electrically inter-connected.

12. A connector circuit assembly formed of inter-connecting circuits on a flexible insulative base being provided with a series of regularly occurring conductors; said conductors being formed on said insulative base; a connecwr frame formed by a plurality of spring arms being arranged in two parallel rows; said circuits bent and shaped to conform to said frame; at least a portion of said cir- References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,658,098 Coleman et al Nov. 3, 1953 2,854,502 Richter Sept. 30, 1958 3,065,383 Guillemot Nov. 20, 1962 FOREIGN PATENTS 685,912 Great Britain Jan. 14, 1953 OTHER REFERENCES lidicrominiaturizing a Space Vehicle Computer, Electronics, Apr. 29, 1960, Edward Keonjion, pp. 95-98. 

12. A CONNECTOR CIRCUIT ASSEMBLY FORMED OF INTER-CONNECTING CIRCUITS ON A FLEXIBLE INSULATIVE BASE BEING PROVIDED WITH A SERIES OF REGULARLY OCCURRING CONDUCTORS; SAID CONDUCTORS BEING FORMED ON SAID INSULATIVE BASE; A CONNECTOR FRAME FORMED BY A PLURALITY OF SPRING AMRS BEING ARRANGED IN TWO PARALLEL ROWS; SAID CIRCUITS BENT AND SHAPED TO CONFORM TO SAID FRAME; AT LEAST A PORTION OF SAID CIRCUITS BEING FOLDED AND EXTENDED BETWEEN ADJACENT ARMS OF SAID FRAME; THE FOLDS OF SAID CIRCUITS BEING CLASPED SECURELY IN PLACE BY ABUTTING EDGES OF SAID ARMS; A PORTION OF CONDUCTIVE PATTERN ON SAID EXTENDED FOLDS BEING PROVIDED WITH EDGE TERMINALS FOR FEED-IN AND FEED-OUT CONNECTIONS. 